Academics – Texas School of the Arts

TeSA Curriculum

At Texas School of the Arts, our curriculum encourages young minds to explore by providing stimulating academics in a creative atmosphere.

Each academic discipline is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). We exceed these standards through the use of campus-developed curriculum focused on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) and guided by the National Core Arts Standards. In addition to robust academics in classrooms, students can expand their studies in our new library and through technology-driven explorations, giving opportunities for students to practice the skills necessary for their artistic and academic futures.

STEAM

TeSA students are assigned a homeroom teacher to coordinate communication and class community, but all grade-levels use a team teach approach. Teachers are able to focus on one or two subjects, in which they can dive deep, and then collaborate for cross-curricular learning.

At times, students may have a focused lesson in one subject, and at other times, students may be engaged in project-based learning, incorporating multiple academic and fine art subjects at once, also known as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math).

Fine Arts & Physical Education

TeSA’s slightly longer school day allows us to incorporate time for all four fine arts; Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Through the arts, students are able to explore creativity and performance, as well as have an opportunity to respond and connect to professional and student works.

Students spend 45 minutes per day in Dance, Theatre, or Art, and another 45 minutes per day in either Music or Physical Education (PE). Our PE classes teach the fundamentals of health and kinesiology, and incorporate the arts through creative movement and DrumFIT.

Learning Outside the Classroom

TeSA understands and fosters the creative environment, extending creativity outside of the classroom. In addition to performances like musicals, plays, concerts, and art shows, our students are encouraged to use creative movement like hopping, skipping, jumping, and spinning down the halls as they utilize our sensory hallways to transition between classes.

All grade-levels also enjoy a twenty minute recess every day to foster peer relationships and encourage physical play. Teachers and students are also frequently found singing between bites of their lunches and dancing through the carline at dismissal.